2GBs The Garden Clinic radio show celebrates 35 years on air
Popular radio show, The Garden Clinic, presented by Graham and Sandra Ross and their children Linda and Kent, celebrated a milestone 35 years on air last Friday.
The Ross family celebrated with a special event at 2GB on August 28, hosted by presenter Chris Smith and attended by 2GB management and staff. Chris presented Graham with 24-carat gold dipped secateurs mounted on a burl from a Mallee tree.
Graham Ross also appeared on Ben Fordham’s ‘Sydney Live’ Drive show on August 28 as a special guest and a number of 2GB presenters congratulated the Ross’s with a special tribute.
The Garden Clinic’s Graham Ross said: “It’s wonderful to have been part of 2GB for 35 years. The four of us love our audience enormously. They are incredibly loyal and we are fortunate enough to interact with them on a regular basis.” He added: “What we do works on radio and I’m very proud of our show and the results we get for listeners and of course our advertisers.”
Ross first appeared on 2GB in 1980, when he was a guest on Mickie de Stoop’s Afternoon shows and then became a regular guest for the rest of the year. In February 1981, Graham presented the first ‘Gardening Show’, which quickly became a hit with listeners and after a year, his broadcast was extended to two hours and his wife, Sandra joined the program.
The show has since celebrated many milestones including:
- 1981 – Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser was a special guest
- 1989 – A live broadcast from the top of a Manly ferry in the Sydney Festival Ferryboathon
- 1989 – Graham Ross reported live from Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China on the uprising
- 1997 – Green and Growing now includes Graham and Linda’s son Kent Ross on the panel and Clive Robertson was installed as host
- 2000 – 20 years of Green and Growing with anniversary special guests John Singleton, retired NSW Premier John Fahey and ex 2GB staff Mickie de Stoop and Sam Galea
- 2013 – First web streaming of the Garden Clinic attracts calls and emails from listeners in Israel, Ireland, Copenhagen, Los Angeles, Chicago and London
- 2013 – A live broadcast from the Chelsea Flower Show in London with guests including Sir Cliff Richard, Dame Helen Mirren, Ringo Starr and Joanna Lumley
- 2015 – First simulcast to 4BC Brisbane of the Garden Clinic.
Macquarie Radio Network Sydney operations director, Paul Bowd said: “To notch up 35 years in broadcasting is an extraordinary achievement and we are pleased to be able to celebrate with the Ross’s and 2GB team.”
Over the years the show has celebrated many achievements, including live broadcasts from a Manly ferry and Tiananmen square and the Chelsea Flower Show, as well as special guest appearances from Malcolm Fraser, John Singleton, Ringo Starr and Sir Cliff Richard.
The Garden Clinic show airs on 2GB every Saturday and Sunday from 6.00am to 9.00am and on 4BC in Brisbane from 6.00am to 8.00am.
